U.S. Congressman John Boozman 3rd District of Arkansas

Job Creation

I know that times have been tough for a lot of Americans recently and many Americans have looked to Congress for leadership on how to get our economy back on track. While it is not the role of the federal government to create make-work jobs for every American, it is the responsibility of our government to preserve and promote an environment that is business friendly, encourages productivity and innovation, supports educational opportunities, and affords all Americans the opportunity to achieve economic freedom.  As the Representative for the Third District of Arkansas, I intend to use this office to help attract and keep good jobs in our region.  

Our current economic environment creates its fair share of challenges for job-seeking Arkansans. I am concerned about promoting legislation that will replenish hope for future employment.  President Obama’s so-called “stimulus” has fallen short of the promises and the expectations made to the American people. As if the “stimulus” weren’t enough taxing, spending, and government expansion, this administration continues to push job-killing legislation such as cap-and-trade, the Employee Free Choice Act, and Obama-Care.  Americans are tired of Congress trying to borrow and spend our way back to prosperity with the same old regulate, tax and spend policies. I believe what we need, and what the American people have stated they want, are market based solutions to our nation’s economic challenges that empower consumers, create competition, and expand individual liberty.

President Barack Obama’s “stimulus” package greatly expanded funding and protection of government jobs, however the creation of jobs in the private sector has remained relatively unaffected. There are a number of paths that lead the way forward, but in order for us to get America back on the path to prosperity, we must refocus on several key issues.  To encourage investment in small business, which is the heart of our nation’s economy, we need to provide business owners and investors with the predictability they need in terms of tax and regulatory structures. It is hard for a small business owner to invest in their business and create jobs if they are concerned about impending health care or energy taxes. By reducing the corporate income tax, providing tax incentives for investment, eliminating the death tax, and suspending capital gains tax and payroll taxes we can reduce the more onerous operating burdens on small business owners and investors.  Eliminating these and other more burdensome regulations and taxes that are strangling businesses across the country would encourage private sector growth and create real jobs for Arkansans.

If we are going to attract world class companies to locate their manufacturing and production facilities here in the United States, we must provide them with the workforce that the future of industry demands. Businesses today are seeking employees with the skills of tomorrow. Those skills are learned in primary schools, four-year universities, community colleges, and technical schools all across Arkansas and the United States.  We must ensure that every Arkansan who seeks higher education has access to the resources they need to realize the dreams of them self and their families. 

Finally, we must level the playing field with America’s trading partners. It does us little good to have business and manufactures producing goods and services if there is no one to sell them to. Right now, Americans who wish to export American products to our trading partners are at a significant competitive disadvantage in many cases; both in terms of manufactured items and agricultural goods. For example, in 2006 the Columbia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed by Columbia and the United States, and has been awaiting ratification by Congress ever since. Since that time, American farmers and businessmen have paid more than $2.5 billion in tariffs on exports to Columbia. With the ratification of the Columbia FTA almost all of these tariffs would be eliminated or phased out over time. Sadly, the Columbia FTA is not the only trade agreement awaiting ratification. American businesses are also waiting for Congress to ratify trade agreements with South Korea and Panama, both of which provide significant economic advantages to exporters in the United States.

Organizations are working to help jumpstart the economy. SCORE of Northwest Arkansas is working to help new businesses succeed and established businesses continue their growth. The orgnization is also looking for business professionals who can volunteer their time and expertise to put future business leaders on the path to success.

Congressional Research Service Reports:

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Using Business Tax Cuts to Stimulate the Economy

Trade Agreements: Impact on the U.S. Economy